Tessa, Vampire/Werewolf Romance, (Standalone) (Shadow Creek Shifters Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

skin for thick fur beneath. He rolled on the ground, rubbing his fur in the dirt to rid himself of the presence of his former shell.
    He jumped up and raced into the night. The wind was crisp and it rustled his fur, invigorating his entire being. There was no better way to travel, and no better time to race through the forest in wolf form.
    Howls echoed through the woods as he passed the mighty aspen trees, which were in this area. He came to a halt when the howls stopped and the forest was silent. The only sound was that of the wind, rustling the leaves of the trees.
    Raphael froze. Something was racing through the trees at a high rate of speed. He leapt out of the way just as a bear burst through the underbrush. When Raphael stared at the bear, it raised and lowered his head as if in laughter, alerting him that it was a werebear. He relaxed and continued along his way back to Silver Creek.
    He was thankful that it was an uneventful night and he didn’t have to get involved in taking care of Jason, but it sure seemed that Tessa was indeed quite capable of defending herself. Angus was also on hand, and he was used to being a protector. It came with the territory of being a llama and guarding cattle all day at Shadow Creek.
    Palina stood from her rocking chair when Raphael came into the large cabin he shared with Seth and their children. He shifted and grabbed a robe by the door, covering himself. Only then did he turn to greet Palina. “Thank you for watching the children.”
    “Did you meet up with that vampire and bed her tonight?”
    Raphael smiled. “And why would that be of any interest to you, Grandmother?”
    “I was hoping you’d get her out of your system and finally take your true place as alpha of this pack by taking a mate for yourself.”
    “I am the alpha and it’s not written that I need to find a mate. Bearing children is not part of my plans.”
    “And why is that when you’re already acting as a father to Maxwell?”
    “I’m not doing a great job of that. I don’t think that boy considers me suitable as a father.”
    “Not next to his father, but your brother is dead and Maxwell is your responsibility. You might not know this, but that boy is important to us all. He’ll take his rightful place one day as alpha and take us home.”
    “Home? I thought you considered Silver Creek home.”
    “You know as well as I do that is simply not the case. Even you know our days are limited here in Creeksboro if what I’ve heard is true, that the full-bloods are on their way.”
    “That’s a rumor among the werewolves who talk too much. I assure you, if they come anywhere near Creeksboro, they’ll have a fight on their hands.
    * * *
    Tessa stared out the window on the way home.
    “So, what’s going on with you and Raphael and Seth?” Angus asked.
    “Nothing. We were just talking. I’m not about to get into anything physical with anyone just yet. I have more important things to worry about right now.”
    “I hope you’re not worrying about what happened in the saloon with Jason. He’s a complete lowlife. It was nice to see a woman showing him up for a change. If he ever hurts another woman, I’ll be a whole lot less civil than you were.”
    “I hardly think knocking the man across the room is civil, but he shouldn’t have called me a bitch. That sets me off whenever anyone calls me that. You might say I’ve been in a relationship with something less than a gentleman, once. Luckily, I didn’t stay with him long enough to permanently mar me.”
    “It really angers me to hear any woman being abused, even verbally.”
    “That’s what will make you a keeper when you meet the right woman. I can imagine you’d cherish her with your last breath.”
    Angus made the turn into Shadow Creek. “Well, we both know that won’t ever happen. I’m satisfied with just protecting everyone who lives at Shadow Creek.”
    Tessa held her tongue. The last thing she needed was to tell him she was planning on